Published: August 05, 2008 10:16 pm            

City hears residents' annexation concerns

Lebanon — The residents affected by the annexation plan on the Interstate 65 corridor seem to see it as a battle between Lebanon and Whitestown. Lebanon’s Annexation Committee sees it as the opportunity to grow.

Nearly 80 residents came to a public hearing at the Lebanon Municipal Building Tuesday where the public was given the opportunity to give their opinions on the project. Those who decided to speak were given five minutes each to state their opinion. Between 15 to 20 residents came forward.

The city passed in June an ordinance annexing more than 6 square miles southeast of the city passed first reading. The 3,675 acres span a half-mile either side of I-65. The land will be zoned for single-family homes. The ordinance becomes law 90 days after it passes second reading.

Lasley said the annexation will be on the council’s Sept. 8 agenda when the 90 day response period will begin.

Concerns that came up during the meeting included concerns about utilities, water and sewer service. But perhaps the greatest concern continues to is taxes and money and how the services are going to be paid for.

“I understand there’s a lot of concern,” Lebanon Mayor John Lasley said. “But I thought it went well and many of the residents were city residents.”

Those city residents had issues with higher taxes and not much confidence that the area will be maintained. Even supporters didn’t necessarily want to be annexed, however, they believe that annexation will be coming at some point and they would rather be in Lebanon’s control rather than Whitestown.

Jason Lee spoke about preferring to be part of Lebanon, rather than Whitestown.

“Nothing against Whitestown,” Lee said. “But we don’t want to have anything to do with Whitestown.”

Lee said that if the area was ever to be annexed by Whitestown, he believes taxes would be higher than if Lebanon annexed the area.

Rebecca Hull, on the other hand, isn’t so confident in Lebanon.

“They always promise the moon and the stars,” Hull said. “And we end up getting the big dipper.”

Hull would prefer that the city improves what they have already instead of building more only to let it “fall apart.”

“The purpose for annexing this area is to be able to manage the growth that will be coming up the I-65 corridor,” Lasley said. “Lebanon has the means and the experience to allow the growth to be orderly and cost effective.”

        

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